Lindsey Graham Lies in State at Capitol as Trump, Hannity Lead Tributes Before Cathedral Memorial
Funeral services for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham are unfolding this week in Washington, D.C., and his home state of South Carolina, following the sudden death of the veteran Republican lawmaker on July 11. The ceremonies began Tuesday morning at the U.S. Capitol, where Graham’s flag-draped casket was carried into the Rotunda during an arrival ceremony honoring his nearly two decades in the Senate. Dozens of lawmakers from both parties gathered inside as Graham lay in state, a rare tribute for a senator who had served since 2003.
“Lindsey will be remembered as a senator and as a statesman,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said during the ceremony. “But for me, most of all, I will remember him as my friend.” Beyond his legislative work—particularly on the Armed Services and Appropriations committees—Graham was known for his hawkish foreign policy and close ties to world leaders, often serving as an informal envoy for Republican administrations.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Washington National Cathedral, with President Trump, Fox News host Sean Hannity, and Graham’s niece, Emillie Boggs Roberts, delivering tributes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are also expected to attend, reflecting Graham’s deep involvement in international affairs. In his final weeks, Graham had just returned from a trip to Ukraine, where he met with Zelensky.
The D.C. services are closed to the public but will be livestreamed online. Following the cathedral memorial, Graham’s remains will be transported to South Carolina for a brief service at the State House in Columbia on Wednesday, then a public funeral at First Baptist Church of Columbia on a first-come, first-served basis. A private burial in Pickens County will conclude the services, according to his family.
Graham died at age 71 at his Washington home after what his office described as a brief and sudden illness. The medical examiner determined the likely cause of death to be an aortic dissection—a tear in the body’s main artery—stemming from a pre-existing heart condition. His death shocked colleagues and allies, cutting short a career that saw him evolve from a House impeachment manager in the Clinton era to a staunch Trump ally and key voice on national security.
His younger sister, Darline Graham, was appointed last week to serve the remainder of his Senate term and has already announced she will seek a full term in 2026. “I am grateful to all those who have come together to help honor and remember Lindsey,” Darline said in a statement. “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to President Trump and his team, Washington National Cathedral, Senate leadership, First Baptist Church of Columbia and the Senate Sergeant at Arms for going above and beyond to ensure these will be honorable tributes to Lindsey.”
Funeral arrangements are expected to draw thousands of mourners in South Carolina, where Graham was a familiar figure and a dominant force in state politics. His legacy includes a reputation for bipartisan deal-making, despite his hardline conservative stands, and a willingness to work across the aisle on issues ranging from immigration reform to military funding.